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EC O11 |
Encourage wind energy developments in suitable locations in an environ- mentally sustainable manner whilst having regard to Government policy and the County Wind Energy Strategy. |
Amendment : EC 011 Consider wind energy developments in suitable locations in an environmentally sustainable manner whilst having regard to Government policy, the County Wind Energy Strategy and the EU and national target of 30% of land for biodiversity.
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EC O16 |
Require comprehensive winter and summer bird and wildlife surveys for all proposed wind farms sites, so that impacts on wildlife can be fully assessed and evaluated and so that appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures can be considered, to include for example removal or repositioning of turbines, introducing one black painted rotor blade (to reduce motion smear and reduce incident of collision) or the provision of technologies that help minimize harm to birds and other wildlife. |
Amendment : EC 016 Require comprehensive winter and summer bird and wildlife surveys for all proposed wind farms sites, as set out in EIA and other relevant legislation. Post- construction bird surveys should be included as a condition of planning for any consented developments to permit before and after impacts to be assessed. Turbine design and adaptation should use the best available technology to minimise harm to birds and other wildlife.
Reason: While black- painted rotor blade may mitigate collision damage for some species and under some conditions there may be more effective devices available in the future. Wind farm developers should not rely on one mitigation factor alone that may not be effective for the sensitive target species ( e.g. Curlew, Lapwing)
7.12.7 Peatlands
Text should include reference to West Kildare Just Transition Plan 2022.
It is the policy of the Council to:
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EC P17 |
Support the preparation of a comprehensive “after use” framework plan for the industrial peatlands and associated workshops, office buildings, industrial sites and power stations in Kildare, acknowledging the significant contribution that these expansive lands make towards the special landscape of the Bog of Allen and Insert its potential to further the growth of tourism to the County. |
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EC O50 |
Prioritise the sourcing of E.U. and National funding to support projects which assist the transition of the industrial peatlands and the communities traditionally dependant on them, to sustainable after uses. |
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EC O51 |
Support Bord na Mona, Insert the local communities and other key stakeholders in the preparation of a long-term strategic plan for the former industrial peatlands. |
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EC O52 |
Support Bord Na Mona (and their company Powergen) with their redevelopment proposals for their headquarters at Newbridge, with a view to Kildare County Council promoting the area as a Green Energy Hub, which focuses on the higher order aspects of the renewable energy industry and a climate action training centre. |
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EC O53 |
Support the implementation of the recommendations contained in the National Peatlands Strategy 2015 and any subsequent revisions. |
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EC O54 |
Require an Ecological Impact and Insert Landscape Assessment to be carried out and submitted with any planning application for energy infrastructure projects (e.g., wind and solar developments) on bog / peatlands (including former cut-away bogs). Comment : Environmental Impact Assessments which include ecology and landscape/ visual impacts are mandatory for developments under current Irish law. We argee that this should be signalled in the CDP |